How common is walking pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia, a mild form of pneumonia, is not uncommon.

The number of cases fluctuates, usually peaking once every 3-7 years. The disease can break out at any time of the year.

However, it usually shows up more often during fall and winter.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes one’s airways to swell. The air sacs in the lungs then fill up with mucus and other fluids. A high fever and a cough with mucus follow.

If a person has walking pneumonia, they may feel well enough to walk around and carry out daily tasks without realizing that they have pneumonia.

The major difference between the two diseases is that walking pneumonia is milder and does not usually require bed rest or hospitalization.

When a person has walking pneumonia they may feel like they have a bad cold or the flu.

Walking pneumonia is very contagious and when someone who has been infected coughs, sneezes, talks, sings, or breathes near a person, tiny droplets containing the disease enter the air. The illness spreads if one inhales those droplets.

Children who are 2 or younger or senior citizens who are 65 or older or those with a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) or take immunosuppressant medications are more at risk. Although anyone can contract the disease.

Those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema are also at high-risk.

People living or working in crowded places, such as schools, dormitories, nursing homes or military barracks can contract it more easily.

Those using tobacco products or regularly using inhaled corticosteroids also have a higher chance to get infected.

Some of the symptoms of walking pneumonia include sore throat (pharyngitis), extreme tiredness (fatigue), chest pain or discomfort, low-grade fever (below 101°F or 38°C).

Other symptoms include mild chills, cough, sneezing, and headache.